Reviews

We discussed this fascinating and poetic tale on Hello Hemlock in September, thanks to the beautiful Emily's suggestion! One thing I will add to my video review is that, despite its beautiful prose and approach to these themes, there are many triggers for those sensitive to sexual abuse and the abuse of children. Read with caution and awareness, and if possible, push through to the end <3

careinthelibrary's review against another edition

Go to review page

Kiss of the Fur Queen was my August book that I read for my "long unread" challenge where I read books that have been on my tbr for at least four years. This is a classic of Cree literature and rightfully deserves the reputation and merits it has been awarded.

This was not what I expected. The first portion of the book was spectacular and in line with a lot of other books I've read about residential schools and Indigenous life in twentieth-century rural "Canada". The second portion was so unexpected and unlike anything I've read before. The perspective, timeline, and tonal shifts were a bit hard to follow but the message was there. This incorporates a lot of Cree mythology, spirituality, and traditional storytelling elements which I have never read about before and I'm grateful that they were reproduced and imagined in this novel even if I couldn't grasp the scope of it. The story is powerful, and the characters are memorable. If you haven't read this yet, take your time with it and savour it. It's not a book to be rushed through or half-listened to. It demands full attention to witness the lives of these two brothers. Definitely one that would benefit from a reread one day.

content warnings for: children in danger, residential school abuse (sexual), cultural loss, rape, murder, HIV/AIDS epidemic, religious conversion/religion-motivated prejudice, alcohol/drug use.

magsisreadingagain's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

juliebuckles's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

The book is brilliant, the audiobook an entire experience. Patricia Cano brings the Okimasis brothers to life—their language, their ambition and talents, their love and hate, their pain and joy. Originally published in 1999, it is like it was written last year with themes ripped from the headlines: boarding school abuse, the disappearance of Native women, and the pain and trauma of indigenous communities. But there is also magic in this novel. And music, dance, and love.

I highly recommend listening to this as an audiobook (libro.fm). I was planning to read the book and my store manager told me the audiobook was worth it for the Cree and she was right. I have Patricia Cano's lovely voice in my ears and the people of Mystic Lake forever in my head and heart.

leahb88's review

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

jessicas_bookshelf's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

More...